Planning to drive or get a driver’s license in Japan in 2026? This guide explains whether a Taiwan driver’s license or U.S. driver’s license can be used in Japan, when an International Driving Permit is required, how foreign-license conversion works, whether Taiwan license holders need a written or road test, which U.S. states qualify for test exemptions, and how to get a Japanese license from scratch.
How to Get a Driver’s License in Japan: Taiwan, U.S. Licenses, IDPs, License Conversion, Written Tests, and Road Tests
If you are planning to live, study, work, or travel in Japan, one of the first questions you may have is whether you need to get a Japanese driver’s license.
The answer depends largely on what kind of license you already have.
If you are visiting Japan from Taiwan for a short trip and already hold a valid Taiwan driver’s license, you normally do not need to take a Japanese driving test. You also do not use a Taiwan-issued International Driving Permit for this purpose. Instead, the standard combination is:
Taiwan driver’s license
+
official Japanese translation
+
passport
If you have a U.S. driver’s license, the rules are different. Short-term visitors generally need a valid U.S. driver’s license together with an International Driving Permit that complies with the 1949 Geneva Convention.
If you are moving to Japan for long-term residence, you may be able to convert your foreign driver’s license into a Japanese license through the procedure known as 外国免許切替, commonly called Gaimen Kirikae.
Japan also tightened its foreign-license conversion rules on October 1, 2025. Many older articles still say the knowledge check consists of 10 questions with 7 correct answers required. That information is now outdated. Under the new system, the knowledge confirmation consists of 50 questions, and at least 45 must be answered correctly.
Japan Driving and License Conversion at a Glance
| Situation | Can You Drive in Japan? | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan license, short-term visit | Yes | Taiwan license + official Japanese translation + passport |
| Taiwan-issued IDP | Not the applicable method | Use Taiwan license + Japanese translation instead |
| U.S. license alone | No | A valid 1949 Geneva Convention IDP is also required |
| U.S. license + valid IDP | Yes | Valid U.S. license + valid IDP |
| Convert Taiwan license to Japanese license | Yes | Apply for foreign-license conversion |
| Taiwan conversion test requirement | Written and practical confirmation exempt | Document, identity, address, and aptitude checks still apply |
| Convert U.S. license to Japanese license | Yes | Test exemptions depend on the issuing state |
| No foreign license at all | Must obtain Japanese license from scratch | Driving school or direct examination |
Japan allows foreign drivers to legally drive under several specific systems. One is an International Driving Permit that complies with the 1949 Geneva Convention. Another is a foreign license plus an authorized Japanese translation for certain designated countries and regions. Taiwan is included in the latter system.
1. Can You Drive in Japan With a Taiwan Driver’s License?
Yes.
For travelers from Taiwan, driving in Japan is relatively straightforward.
The standard documents are:
-
Valid Taiwan driver’s license
-
Official Japanese translation of the Taiwan driver’s license
-
Passport
The important point is that a Taiwan-issued International Driving Permit is not the document used for this Japan driving arrangement.
The easiest way to remember it is:
Taiwan to Japan self-drive
Taiwan driver’s license
+
Japanese translation
+
passport
2. Can You Use a Taiwan International Driving Permit in Japan?
Do not rely on a Taiwan-issued International Driving Permit for short-term driving in Japan.
The recognized arrangement for Taiwan license holders is based on:
Taiwan driver’s license
+
authorized Japanese translation
This is different from the system used by travelers from many other countries.
Japan is unusual in this respect, so it is easy to confuse the rules with those for driving in the United States, Canada, or parts of Europe.
3. Where Can You Get a Japanese Translation of a Taiwan Driver’s License?
If you are still in Taiwan, the easiest option is usually to apply through a Taiwan motor vehicle office.
The commonly required documents include:
-
Original Taiwan driver’s license
-
Original national ID card
Eligible applicants may also be able to apply through Taiwan’s online motor vehicle services.
4. Can You Translate the License Yourself?
No.
You cannot simply create your own translation and expect it to be accepted for legal driving purposes.
Japan requires the Japanese translation to be issued by an authorized organization.
Recognized issuers may include:
-
The original licensing authority
-
Qualified embassies or consulates
-
JAF, the Japan Automobile Federation
-
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association for Taiwan licenses
-
ZipPlus for eligible Taiwan licenses
-
Other organizations specifically authorized under Japanese rules
For most travelers from Taiwan, getting the official translation before departure is the simplest option.
5. What If You Arrive in Japan Without the Translation?
You may still be able to obtain one in Japan.
JAF offers an online translation service for eligible foreign driver’s licenses, including Taiwan licenses.
However, if you already know you plan to rent a car, arranging the translation before leaving Taiwan is usually much easier.
6. How Long Can You Drive in Japan With a Taiwan License and Translation?
In principle, you may drive for up to one year from the date you enter Japan.
However, you must also remain within the validity period of your original driver’s license.
So your legal driving period is limited by whichever expires first:
-
One year from your qualifying entry into Japan
-
The expiration date of your original driver’s license
The Japanese translation itself does not give you unlimited driving rights.
7. Can You Leave Japan and Re-enter to Restart the One-Year Period?
Long-term residents need to be careful.
Japan has what is commonly referred to as the “three-month rule.”
For people registered in Japan’s Basic Resident Register, leaving Japan for less than three months and returning does not necessarily restart the one-year driving period.
In certain cases, a person must remain outside Japan for at least three months before a new entry date can be treated as the starting point for a new driving period.
Therefore, if you are:
-
Working in Japan
-
Studying in Japan
-
Living in Japan long term
-
Registered as a resident
it is usually better to convert to a Japanese driver’s license rather than relying indefinitely on a foreign license.
8. Can a Taiwan Driver’s License Be Converted to a Japanese Driver’s License?
Yes.
The process is called:
外国免許切替
Common English names include:
Foreign License Conversion
or
Gaimen Kirikae
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to convert a valid Taiwan driver’s license into a Japanese driver’s license.
9. Does a Taiwan License Holder Need the Written Test for Conversion?
Currently, no knowledge confirmation is required for eligible Taiwan license holders.
Taiwan is included in the category of countries and regions whose license holders are exempt from both:
-
Knowledge confirmation
-
Skills confirmation
So:
Taiwan driver’s license
→ Japanese driver’s license
currently means:
Knowledge confirmation: Exempt
Skills confirmation: Exempt
10. Does a Taiwan License Holder Need a Road Test?
Currently, the practical skills confirmation is also exempt.
This is the part people commonly refer to as the foreign-license “road test.”
However, “no written test and no road test” does not mean you simply walk in and receive a Japanese license.
You still need to complete requirements such as:
-
Eligibility review
-
Document inspection
-
Identity verification
-
Address and residence-document review
-
Vision and aptitude checks
-
Application procedures
Exact documentation may vary by prefecture.
11. The Important Three-Month Residence Requirement
This is one of the most important rules for foreign-license conversion.
You must generally be able to prove that after obtaining your foreign driver’s license, you lived in the country or region that issued it for a total of at least three months.
For example:
You cannot normally obtain your first Taiwan driver’s license today, move to Japan tomorrow, and immediately convert it.
Japanese authorities may check passports, entry and exit records, old licenses, residency evidence, or other supporting documents.
12. Can a Tourist Convert a Taiwan License Into a Japanese License?
Short-term tourists should not treat foreign-license conversion as something they can simply do during a vacation.
Japan tightened its address and residency requirements from October 1, 2025.
In general, foreign residents need qualifying Japanese residence documentation, such as appropriate resident-registration records. Ordinary short-term visitor status does not provide the same basis for conversion.
So the simple rule is:
Visiting Japan
→ Use Taiwan license + Japanese translation.
Living in Japan long term
→ Consider foreign-license conversion.
13. Can You Drive in Japan With a U.S. Driver’s License?
A U.S. driver’s license alone is not enough.
For short-term driving, the standard arrangement is:
Valid U.S. driver’s license
+
International Driving Permit that complies with the 1949 Geneva Convention
Japan specifically recognizes qualifying Geneva Convention IDPs.
Other international permit formats are not automatically valid in Japan.
14. Where Can Americans Get an International Driving Permit?
The U.S. Department of State identifies the authorized U.S. providers of International Driving Permits as:
-
AAA — American Automobile Association
-
AATA — American Automobile Touring Alliance
You must also carry your original U.S. driver’s license.
An IDP does not replace your regular license.
15. How Long Is a U.S. IDP Valid in Japan?
Japan does not simply look at the printed expiration date on the IDP.
Several limits apply at the same time.
You generally need to remain within:
-
One year from the IDP’s issue date
-
One year from your qualifying date of entry into Japan
-
Japan’s three-month re-entry rule
So an IDP may still look valid on paper but no longer be legally usable in Japan if the Japanese driving period has expired.
16. Can a U.S. Driver’s License Be Converted to a Japanese License?
Yes.
But unlike Taiwan, the rules depend on which U.S. state issued your license.
Certain states qualify for exemptions from the knowledge and skills confirmation tests.
17. Which U.S. States Are Exempt From Both Written and Road Tests?
Under the current exemption list, the following U.S. states qualify for exemption from both the knowledge and skills confirmation:
-
Ohio
-
Oregon
-
Colorado
-
Virginia
-
Hawaii
-
Maryland
-
Washington State
If you hold a valid license from one of these states and meet the other conversion requirements, you can generally avoid both the foreign-license written confirmation and practical skills confirmation.
18. Indiana Is Different
Indiana is treated separately.
At present, Indiana license holders qualify for exemption from the skills confirmation.
However, Indiana is not included in the list of U.S. states that are exempt from both knowledge and skills confirmation.
19. Does a California Driver’s License Require Tests for Japanese Conversion?
California is currently not included in the list of U.S. states exempt from both knowledge and skills confirmation.
It is also not in the Indiana-style skills-only exemption category.
Therefore, under the general current rule, a California Driver License holder applying for foreign-license conversion should expect to complete:
-
Knowledge confirmation
-
Skills confirmation
In other words:
Written-style test
+
Practical driving test
The same caution applies to licenses from states such as New York or Texas unless they are later added to an exemption list.
20. The Foreign-License Written Test Is No Longer Only 10 Questions
This is one of the most common outdated facts online.
Before October 1, 2025:
10 questions
7 correct answers required
Under the newer system:
50 questions
At least 45 correct answers required
The former simplified picture-based format was also revised.
So if an article says:
“Japan’s foreign license conversion test is only 10 questions”
it is outdated.
21. The Practical Test Has Also Become Stricter
The October 2025 changes did not only affect the written portion.
The practical skills confirmation also became stricter.
Changes include additional attention to areas such as:
-
Pedestrian crossings
-
Pedestrian priority
-
Intersection behavior
-
Practical driving standards
Applicants from countries or U.S. states that do not qualify for skills-test exemption should prepare using current rules rather than older online guides.
22. Can the Foreign-License Written Test Be Taken in Chinese?
In Tokyo, yes.
Tokyo currently supports multiple languages for several driver’s license examinations, including:
-
Chinese
-
English
-
Korean
-
Spanish
-
Portuguese
-
Vietnamese
-
Thai
-
Other supported languages
The current system supports 20 languages for relevant license exams and knowledge confirmation.
Other prefectures may have different schedules and language availability, so always check the local police authority.
23. What If You Have No Driver’s License at All?
If you do not have:
-
A Taiwan driver’s license
-
A U.S. driver’s license
-
Another qualifying foreign driver’s license
then you cannot use foreign-license conversion.
You must obtain a Japanese license through the normal new-driver process.
There are two main routes.
Route 1: Attend a Designated Driving School
This is the closest equivalent to a formal driving school.
In Japan, these schools are called:
指定自動車教習所
You generally study:
-
Japanese traffic laws
-
Closed-course driving
-
Provisional-license preparation
-
Public-road driving
-
Hazard awareness
-
Parking
-
Turning
-
Intersection rules
-
Pedestrian priority
After graduating from a designated driving school, the official practical driving test at the licensing center can generally be waived.
Does Driving School Mean You Never Take a Road Test?
No.
This point is important.
A designated driving school still requires practical driving instruction and a graduation skills examination.
What is waived is the separate official practical test at the police licensing center after you successfully graduate.
So the better way to understand it is:
You still take practical driving tests
but mainly inside the driving-school system.
Do Driving School Graduates Still Need a Written Test?
Yes, if you are obtaining your first ordinary Japanese driver’s license.
Graduating from a designated driving school does not automatically eliminate the final academic examination.
You still need to complete the required official written examination and aptitude procedures.
Route 2: Take the Direct Examination — Ippatsu Shiken
You may also attempt the licensing process directly at an official test center without completing a normal designated driving-school program.
This is commonly called:
一発試験
Ippatsu Shiken
The process can include:
Aptitude test
↓
Written examination
↓
Practical driving examination
Practical examinations usually require separate appointments.
This route can be more difficult because you are tested directly under official examination standards.
24. What Is a Kari Menkyo?
仮免許, or Kari Menkyo, is Japan’s provisional driver’s license.
It is similar to a learner’s permit.
Someone obtaining a Japanese driver’s license from scratch generally needs the appropriate provisional license before completing required public-road practice.
Direct applicants may need to pass:
-
Provisional-license written examination
-
Provisional-license practical examination
-
Aptitude requirements
before progressing further.
25. Do Direct-Test Applicants Need Road Practice?
Yes.
If you choose the direct examination route, obtaining a provisional license does not mean you can immediately sit for the full license road test.
For example, under current Tokyo rules, applicants may need to complete a minimum number of days of qualifying on-road practice within a specified period before the final examination.
The supervising driver and vehicle must also meet legal requirements.
So the Ippatsu Shiken route is not simply “skip driving school and show up for one test.”
26. If You Start From Zero in Japan, Is There a Written Test?
Yes.
If you do not have a foreign license that can be converted, you must complete the normal Japanese licensing process, which includes academic testing.
Depending on your route, this may involve both provisional-license and final-license examinations.
27. If You Start From Zero, Is There a Road Test?
Yes, practical driving ability must be tested.
The difference is where the test happens.
Designated Driving School
Most skills instruction and the graduation practical examination are completed through the school.
After graduation, the separate official practical test at the licensing center can be waived.
Direct Examination
You take the practical examinations directly at the official licensing center.
28. Can the Japanese Driver’s License Written Test Be Taken in Chinese?
In Tokyo, yes.
Tokyo currently supports Chinese and a range of other languages for academic and provisional-license examinations.
Other prefectures may have different testing arrangements, so check the official local police website before applying.
29. Easiest Option for Travelers From Taiwan
If you are simply going to:
-
Hokkaido
-
Okinawa
-
Kyushu
-
Tokyo suburbs
-
Osaka or Kyoto countryside
and already have a valid Taiwan driver’s license, you do not need to obtain a Japanese license.
Prepare:
Taiwan driver’s license
+
official Japanese translation
+
passport
That is the main short-term self-drive arrangement.
30. Moving to Japan With a Taiwan Driver’s License
If you are moving to Japan for:
-
Study
-
Work
-
Long-term residence
you can consider foreign-license conversion.
Taiwan currently qualifies for:
Knowledge confirmation exemption
+
Skills confirmation exemption
However, you still need to meet residency, documentation, three-month driving-license residence history, and other eligibility requirements.
31. Traveling to Japan With a California Driver’s License
For short-term travel, the standard approach is:
California Driver License
+
1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit
The U.S. Department of State identifies AAA and AATA as authorized IDP issuers in the United States.
32. Moving to Japan With a California Driver’s License
You can apply for foreign-license conversion.
However, California is not currently on Japan’s list of U.S. states exempt from both knowledge and practical confirmation.
So you should generally be prepared for:
Knowledge confirmation
+
Skills confirmation
33. Taiwan License vs. U.S. License: Which Is Easier in Japan?
If both licenses are valid, Taiwan currently has a simpler path under Japan’s rules.
Short-Term Travel
Taiwan license:
Taiwan driver’s license
+
Japanese translation
U.S. license:
U.S. driver’s license
+
1949 Geneva Convention IDP
Long-Term License Conversion
Taiwan:
Knowledge confirmation exempt
+
Skills confirmation exempt
United States:
Depends on the issuing state.
That makes a Taiwan driver’s license particularly convenient under Japan’s current conversion system.
Japan Driver’s License Rules to Remember
Travelers From Taiwan
Taiwan driver’s license
+
official Japanese translation
+
passport
Do not rely on a Taiwan-issued IDP as the main Japan driving document.
Travelers From the United States
U.S. driver’s license
+
qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention IDP
Converting a Taiwan License
Currently:
Knowledge confirmation exempt
+
Skills confirmation exempt
Converting a U.S. License
Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington State:
Knowledge and skills confirmation exempt.
Indiana:
Skills confirmation exempt.
Other states:
Check the current rules and expect testing unless an exemption applies.
New Foreign-License Written Test
50 questions
At least 45 correct answers required
Important Tips
-
Japan drives on the left side of the road, and most vehicles are right-hand drive.
-
Taiwan travelers should arrange the official Japanese license translation before departure whenever possible.
-
A Japanese translation cannot simply be self-made; it must come from an authorized issuer.
-
U.S. IDPs must comply with the 1949 Geneva Convention for use in Japan.
-
Legal driving periods depend on both document validity and your date of entry into Japan.
-
Long-term residents should not rely on repeated short trips outside Japan to try to reset their driving period.
-
Foreign-license conversion procedures, appointments, and supporting documents can vary by prefecture.
-
Rental car companies may impose additional age, credit card, driving-history, and document requirements.
-
Many older guides describing a 10-question foreign-license test are outdated after the October 1, 2025 rule changes.
Conclusion: Driving in Japan Is Relatively Simple for Taiwan License Holders
If you are only visiting Japan, the process is much easier than many people expect.
For travelers with a valid Taiwan driver’s license, the key documents are:
Taiwan driver’s license
+
official Japanese translation
+
passport
There is no need to take a Japanese driving test for a short vacation.
If you later move to Japan, Taiwan license holders currently have another major advantage: Taiwan is included in the group exempt from both the knowledge and skills confirmation during foreign-license conversion, provided all other eligibility requirements are met.
U.S. license holders can also drive in Japan, but short-term visitors generally need a qualifying International Driving Permit. For long-term conversion, the rules depend on which state issued the license.
Anyone without a qualifying foreign driver’s license must go through Japan’s normal licensing system, either through a designated driving school or by attempting the direct examination route.
Once you identify which category applies to you — tourist driving, foreign-license conversion, or obtaining a license from scratch — Japan’s driver’s license system becomes much easier to understand.
Image Sources: Japan National Police Agency, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Japan Automobile Federation, Taiwan Directorate General of Highways official materials.
Sources: Japan National Police Agency, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, JAF, Taiwan Directorate General of Highways, Taiwan Motor Vehicle Services, and the U.S. Department of State. Information last checked on August 17, 2026.
Disclaimer:
This article provides general information about driving, foreign-license conversion, and driver’s licensing in Japan and does not constitute legal advice. Rules, documents, examination languages, appointment procedures, rental-company requirements, and prefectural practices may change. Before driving or applying for a license, always confirm the latest rules with Japan’s National Police Agency, your local prefectural police, the relevant driver’s license center, JAF, the Taiwan Directorate General of Highways, or your rental car company.
FAQ
Can I drive in Japan with a Taiwan driver’s license?
Yes. For short-term driving, the standard combination is a valid Taiwan driver’s license, an authorized Japanese translation, and your passport.
Can I use a Taiwan International Driving Permit in Japan?
For Taiwan license holders, the recognized Japan driving arrangement is based on the Taiwan driver’s license plus an authorized Japanese translation rather than a Taiwan-issued IDP.
Do Taiwan license holders need a written test to convert to a Japanese license?
Currently, eligible Taiwan license holders are exempt from the foreign-license knowledge confirmation.
Do Taiwan license holders need a road test?
Currently, Taiwan is also exempt from the foreign-license skills confirmation, although document review, eligibility checks, and aptitude requirements still apply.
Can I drive in Japan with a U.S. driver’s license?
A U.S. driver’s license alone is not enough for short-term driving. You generally need a valid U.S. license plus a qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit.
Where can Americans get an International Driving Permit?
The U.S. Department of State identifies AAA and AATA as authorized U.S. IDP issuers.
Does a California driver’s license qualify for road-test exemption?
California is not currently on the list of U.S. states exempt from both knowledge and skills confirmation, so applicants should generally expect both tests.
Which U.S. states are exempt from both written and road tests?
Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington State currently qualify for both exemptions. Indiana currently qualifies for skills-confirmation exemption only.
How many questions are on Japan’s foreign-license knowledge test?
Since October 1, 2025, the knowledge confirmation consists of 50 questions, with at least 45 correct answers required.
Can I take the Japanese driving test in Chinese?
In Tokyo, Chinese is currently among the supported languages for relevant written examinations and foreign-license knowledge confirmation. Availability may differ in other prefectures.
If I have no foreign driver’s license, do I need a road test?
Yes. If you attend a designated driving school, the practical examination is mainly completed through the school and the separate official skills test may be waived after graduation. If you take the direct examination route, practical testing is conducted through the official licensing center.
Fee Reference
Taiwan official Japanese translation of a driver’s license: approximately NT$100 per copy through Taiwan motor vehicle authorities.
JAF Japanese translation services: fees vary by purpose and current service category; check JAF’s latest official pricing before applying.
Tokyo foreign-license conversion fees: application and license issuance fees apply and may change over time.
Japanese designated driving-school tuition varies significantly by region, school, AT or MT license, residential training programs, and package type, so there is no single nationwide price.
